Jumbo BigLift Projects was awarded the contract to ship 88 modules for a chemical plant in 14 shipments from South Korea and China to Lake Charles, USA. TWD was requested to design an adaptable lifting frame capable of lifting all size modules in the loading and discharge ports. The lifting frame took just six months to design, fabricate, test and deliver. It was straight away tested to its maximum, both for weight and length. One of the first lifts that Happy Sky took on weighed around 825 tons, including the frame itself.

Jumbo BigLift Projects team knew several challenges from the beginning, one of the major technical challenges was the layout and the different shapes and sizes of the modules for lifting. Conventional lifting gear did not suffice therefore the team would need to commission two new lifting frames to be designed and built.

In view of the tight schedule, the production of the lifting frames became the crucial element for project execution. In the end, the lifting frame took just six months to design, fabricate, test and deliver. It was right on time for the first voyage for which it was required. This loading operation took place in January by Happy Sky. The total weight of the fully assembled lifting frame is 215 tons. It was designed in a modular way so that it could be adjusted to lift all 70 modules. 18 modules were loaded with ship’s gear.

This versatile piece of equipment can be adjusted in length, and to different positions of lifting points on the modules and it is readily available for future module moves.

The lifting frame was straight away tested to its maximum, both for weight, length and lifting height. One of the first lifts that Happy Sky took on weighed around 825 tons, including the lifting frame. Furthermore, this module was so high that the available lifting height was used to its maximum: with the hook in its highest position. It was calculated that the module would clear the deck by less than 0.5 m, and it did.

Frame particulars:

Fully modular in length and width, the sling attachment pipes allow for any individual longitudinal and transverse spacing of lifting points of the modules.